Reducing Racial Inequality in York

Services

York Racial Equality Network (YREN) provides a range of services to promote awareness of the needs of black and minority ethnic people and others in the York area. This includes information and resources on race equality issues, and independent, impartial information and mutual support to people experiencing racial harassment, victimisation, discrimination or isolation.

A hate crime is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someones prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.

If you, or anyone you know, has been called names, been bullied or had anything happen to them that you think may be because of one of these factors, then you should report this as a hate incident.

Even if you don’t want the incident to be investigated, it is important that YREN know about it, so that we can build up a picture of how many incidents are happening and where.

Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but those that do become hate crimes. The Association of Chief Police Officers and the CPS have agreed a common definition of hate crime: “Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender.

Racist and religious crime is particularly hurtful to victims as they are being targeted solely because of their personal identity, their actual or perceived racial or ethnic origin, belief or faith. These crimes can happen randomly or be part of a campaign of continued harassment and victimisation.

If you would like to find out about reporting a hate crime then you can talk to YREN on 01904 642600 or email info@yren.co.uk However, if it is an emergency then please call 999 and ask for the police.

Other Services

YREN also offers information and resources on race equality issues for organisations, which includes advice on the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities.

YREN has accepted commissions for research into equality and equality management issues.

Representation

YREN represents the equality voice for BME people and organisations and others on a range of partnership boards. See our links page for a complete list.

YREN also provides information and resources for individuals, organisations and the community as a whole on race equality issues; and runs various projects.

YREN Projects
YREN is currently involved in the following projects:

York Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Individuals and Groups Open Forum

The Open Forum aims to:

give BME groups and individuals the opportunity to express and discuss any issues affecting their lives

inform service providers – statutory, voluntary, community or private – of the needs and issues identified at the Open Forum

provide opportunities for consultation between statutory and voluntary organisations and the BME population.

Have you experienced an increase in race hate incidents? If so have you reported it?

Have you had difficulties finding health services that recognise your cultural needs?

Would you like a say in how services are planned?

This Project aims to give a voice to members of York’s diverse BME groups and support volunteers to influence the planning and delivery of services that are more appropriate, more effective and that meet people’s diverse cultural needs.

The project will train and support volunteers to get involved in meetings and activities where services are being designed and decisions about service delivery are being made.

York’s BME community are underrepresented in many of the places where important decisions are made about key services such as GP services. By increasing the presence and contributions of people from the BME community more culturally sensitive services can be developed.

There are many ways to get involved For more information please email voice@yren.co.uk or on 01904 642600.

YREN Outreach

YREN is now offering a free outreach service at Tang Hall Community Centre every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm.

Individuals from diverse minority communities in York are invited to meet representatives from YREN in a productive, informal setting. YREN will raise awareness of, and enable people to access, services available in the City of York, including housing, education, health and recreational opportunities. It will provide an information service and case work support to individuals in need, and advice and information on racial equality issues.

For further information please contact YREN by email: info@yren.co.uk or by telephone: 01904 642600.